Creative wedding invitation ideas for the chic bride planning her stylish wedding!
"It was a phenomenal day. You were such a huge part in terms of setting the tone. Thank you for all that you did. It was stunning." ~ Robyn, California
"My inspiration for Robyn and Jay's invitation arrived from her gorgeous wedding gown . . . My clients -- their dreams, desires and individual taste are what drive my work. We are co-creators in the stationery design process." Dayna Bischof, The Calligraphy Lady®, www.calligraphylady.com
The Wedding of Oya and Barbaros
. . . from Louisville, Chicago, Miami, Long Beach, Hawaii, Atlanta, Dallas to . . . Bolivia, Switzerland, Italy . . . ah, I am so grateful to be tasked with handwritten calligraphy, hand painting and designing wedding invitations for US weddings, destination weddings and weddings abroad!
My wonderful and gracious clients, Oya and Barbaros from New Jersey, are a delightful and talented newly wed couple. They selected traditional, premium wedding invitations in classic thermography printing. Oya asked me to paint a red rose of wine tone to embellish their invitations. The wedding invitation wording was written in Turkish, following Turkish wedding invitation etiquette. I painted shimmering gold on roses and centered them lovingly on the invitations. The rose, a perfect wedding symbol of true elegance, made a romantic theme.
For destination bilingual weddings, I can create both an English and native language invitation(s) for you, the wedding couple.
And if you are looking for the perfect wedding shower or wedding gift, please visit their site at turkishtowels.com for luxurious towels and robes.
Snowflakes shimmer on this winter theme wedding invitation. Perfect for a snowflake theme wedding day!
Click on image to order your affordable wedding invitations with a 10 percent discount at checkout. Shop online securely. Order samples, receive email proofs and expert assistance. 
Winter Snowflake Wedding Invitation
Looking for something totally unique? Couture? Custom? Peruse our gorgeous hand drawn, artistic snowflake wedding invitations complimented with handwritten calligraphy by The Calligraphy Lady® at
calligraphylady.com
Purchase 150 wedding invitations from our POCKET wedding invitations album, and receive $25.00 off. Visit our St. Louis Wedding Invitations Studio to view our pocket invitation collection.
Call 314-401-3125, Mon thru Sat, central standard time from 9 am to 5 pm to schedule your private appointment with Dayna, The Calligraphy Lady®. Or email Dayna to schedule your consultation time with her.
If you are not located in the St. Louis area, no worries! Dayna can work with you directly over the internet to help you create, customize and order your pocket wedding invitations. Just give her a call or drop her an email message.
See our Pockets by Carlson Craft ad in Martha Stewart Weddings magazine.
Please click on our link to VIEW our many unique wedding invitations with the pocket design. PLEASE NOTE: To receive your $25.00 discount on your invitations, you must order directly from Dayna over the phone or visit her studio. Offer is not valid through online ordering.
Free wedding napkins with an order of 150 more invitations from our BLUE album
St Louis, Missouri: The Calligraphy Lady® Wedding Invitations Studio, 9 am to 5 pm Monday thru Friday, Saturday by appointment only, phone 314-401-3125, email The Calligraphy Lady, Dayna Bischof
The Calligraphy Lady® is your BEST wedding invitation designer in St. Louis and its metro area for unique wedding invitations, cute bridal shower invitations, unique invitation cards, thank you notes, rehearsal dinner menus and wedding reception favors.
Offering the finest St. Louis wedding invitations, The Calligraphy Lady® has been featured in numerous bridal magazines such as Brides, Better Homes & Gardens Simply Creative Weddings, the Knot, Beverly Clark Elite Destination Weddings, QUEST New York City, many more publications and on television. Working not only with clients from the St. Louis area but all areas of the country and world: wedding clients residing in Connecticut, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Virginia Beach, Seattle, Atlanta, Dallas, San Diego, New York City, Washington D.C., England and Italy.
Your invitation is the first glimpse your guests will have of your wedding. Be sure to budget for beautiful quality stationery and select your invitations early in your wedding planning. Then when you send your unique wedding invitations, custom-designed in hand calligraphy, or from our affordable quality designer collections expect your invitation rsvps to be returned quickly sometimes with a phone call exclaiming how beautiful your wedding invitations are! Your stationery will certainly become a cherished heirloom keepsake for you and your wedding guests.
One happy wedding client writes:
"I just mailed my handwritten wedding invitations for my wedding, and I have already received compliments from guests about how exquisite they are! Dayna designed everything from our monogram napkins and seals to invitations and thank you notes. My whole ensemble looks amazing!" Aimee of New Orleans, Louisiana
Are you on a budget for your wedding invitations and reception favors? With our quality Carlson Craft® invitations and accessories you do not have to compromise your elegant taste. Click on the image above and explore the world of Carlson Craft® budget-minded invitations -- darling bridal shower invitations, magnet save the dates, contemporary and sophisticated wedding invitations; personalized wedding stationery such as thank you notes; ceremony accessories like programs, bows and isle runners; and reception items such as cake toppers, customized napkins, beautiful guest books, adorable mint holders, elegant place cards, exquisite champagne flutes, even affordable unique bridesmaid and groomsmen gifts!
SHOP today and receive 10% off your order at checkout.
The Calligraphy Lady® offers DIY invitations. Browse our wonderful selection of blank stationery and unique accessories. Order your "do it yourself" wedding invitation supplies today and receive 10 percent off at checkout. Additionally, we would love the honor of addressing your reply card and outer envelopes for the low price of $1.50 per envelope with computer calligraphy.
I find ocean meditation to be very healing. I love the salt water, seaweed and its healing properties. Ah, but I am 1000 miles from the shore! If you love the ocean but it is far away from your daily life -- try ocean healing music. I have a CD called Dream Surf that works wonders . . . truly elevates the spirit and provides great nourishing energy. 
Staring at the ocean . . . wishing to be a mermaid!
My niece, Lauren, married her true love Cameron on June 5 just a few short weeks ago! I celebrate my 17th wedding anniversary soon!
Pic of Dayna and Lauren at Lauren's bridesmaid luncheon on 4 June. Luncheon was hosted by Lauren's mother at the Inn at the Park in Louisville, Kentucky. Inn at the Park is a beautiful historic home servicing as a Bed and Breakfast and for special celebrations. Simply lovely! The luncheon was in honor of Lauren's bridesmaids.
I just added some NEW fonts to my font library for envelope addressing. I realize in these current economic times, clients want a personalized look for a great price - without sacrificing exceptional service. That is why I continually reinvent my little business to service my client's individual budgets and needs. I want them to have the best at a price they can afford.
Remember the movie, "Mr. Mom" . . . the advertising campaign . . . "Tuna with a heart" . . . Well, I would like for you to think of The Calligraphy Lady®, as "The Calligrapher with a heart!"
Combining my hand calligraphy flourishes with popular commercial wedding fonts, I am now able to computer print envelopes for clients at an inexpensive, affordable price of $1.50 per outer envelope or $1.75 per envelope set.
Check out my growing collection:
And please visit my computer calligraphy envelope page for envelope samples and additional information.
Painting of Wang Xizhi by a later Yuan Dynasty artist.
Last night, I attended the St. Louis Art Museum member's event featuring a large collection of artifacts from the Ming Dynasty. The show features the court arts of China -- it was amazing! My favorite piece of the exhibit showcased the work of Chinese Calligrapher Wang Xizhi -- a small porcelain bowl in perfect rare condition. It is said that he loved to watch swans and that they inspired his calligraphy strokes! Many of the artists like Wang Xizhi were never allowed to leave the Imperial City. Can you imagine? As artists, I wonder if they had to pay taxes like I do on my calligraphy business?! I think paying taxes is better when it includes freedom, don't you? ; )
Nature is a huge part of my calligraphic inspiration too. For example, I love the curls of grapevines -- the interesting twists and turns have inspired my calligraphy swirls. Even architecture has inspired me -- Corinthian and Doric columns have influenced my monograms. Fashion and clothing provide me with ideas -- the patterns in toile fabric, the ruffles of a clown's collar, the intricate pattern work of lace. Inspiration can be found everywhere.
Last night as we left the art museum, the sky was incredible; the air smelled fresh of Spring. The lawn of Art Hill was green again -- hard to believe just a few months ago folks were snow sledding down it! As the sun set and the light filtered through the high altitude clouds, the color was a breathtaking shade of orange red. I thought to myself, God rewards us continually in so many miraculous ways. We must be sure to enjoy, find inspiration and give thanks!
Last Friday April 10th, I had the fun opportunity to be a model for our local Talbots store at Plaza Frontenac. I wore two ensembles and modeled the dresses throughout the store for customers. One dress was made of a lovely jacquard fabric with a tiny print -- a sophisticated sun dress for any occasion.
In this picture, I am wearing a polished cotton dress which features a unique bamboo print -- I love this dress! I also wore a large black floppy hat -- "Hello Derby, here I come!" Since I recently took a Chinese brush calligraphy class during which I learned to paint brush bamboo -- well, this bamboo motif dress is perfect for a calligraphy lady! And it is perfect for anyone who loves a dress they can move in, feel sexy in and chic -- and artistic!
Très cool (pronounced koool!).
Inspired to do a NEW Letterpress trend for 2009/2010 . . .
This winter we took our out-of-town guests from Virginia Beach to the MO Botanical Gardens. One of my favorite stops is the Linnean House -- it was full of camellias in bloom! I love camellia flowers -- my favorites are the peppermint stripes and light pinks. Beautiful, soft and the texture is so smooth and delicate.
Which lead me to my most recent idea - smooth stationery for letterpress. Often letterpress stationery is textured and thick. That's not to say it is not lovely. But why not try smooth, lighter color ivory paper -- something delicate, elegant, formal? So I did just that . . . letterpress samples on softer color ivory stationery that boasts a smooth finish. The result -- different, ELEGANT and WOW! I'm in love with the look and can hardly wait to create these letterpress calligraphy invitations for a new client. The black ink is consistent in the pressed lettering and the calligraphy letters hold their character and quality perfectly. 
My calligraphy is pressed into smooth stationery for a twist on the age old beautiful art of letterpress. A traditional and fabulous new flair! It's new and it all began in The Calligraphy Lady® studio this month!
I love ivory stationery in both traditional cream and the new lighter color -- sometimes called wedding white. So I offer both ivory shades to clients.
Please visit my site at http://www.calligraphylady.com for more samples of my elegant wedding invitations handwritten in ornate calligraphy.
"Just once in a lifetime
A man knows a moment
One wonderful moment
When fate takes his hand . . .
Just once in my lifetime
I'm going to do great things" . . .
Bob Anderson, I think Bobby Darin sang this song for you!
I recently visited Branson Missouri with my husband for a short weekend trip. I love Branson! I am not a huge country music fan. Although my father is an excellent steel guitar player and was the number one Martin guitar dealer in MD for about 50 years! I grew up listening to country . . . so I admire the talent.
I really LOVE the old Standards. My absolute favorites are Bobby Darin and Dean Martin. While in Branson, I attended an amazing performance by a gentleman named Bob Anderson, the world's most famous singing impressionist. He is nothing short of incredible! He is able to impersonate every famous singer exactly.
When the lights dimmed dramatically in the intimate performance venue, and Bob Anderson performed Dean and Bobby . . . well, my heart promptly melted on cue! He did a hilarious perfect impression of Tom Jones too. Unfortunately, none of us had panties to toss onto the stage! lol.
Of course all of these singers are before my time (had to mention that), but there is something magical about them -- their everlasting charm. Bob Anderson possesses that same magic, that certain je ne sais quoi . When he performs, he takes on the persona of the individual he is impersonating. It is unbelievable! When he sings in his own beautiful voice (without doing an impression), the result is just as unforgettable.
Not only is he an amazing talent, but he has to be the most humble star . . . ever! During his performance, he strolled into the audience and asked if anyone was celebrating a special occasion. I raised my hand and explained that my husband was celebrating his one year as a kidney recipient. You could see in Bob's eyes and his mannerism that he was deeply touched by this. He congratulated my husband with sincerity.
After the performance, the opportunity was given for fans to buy Bob's DVD/CD of his music and Vegas performance days. When my husband tried to buy the set, Bob refused to take Tim's money. He hugged my husband, congratulated him and gave him the set as a gift! Then he allowed us to have our picture taken with him. With renewed energy, even after his amazing performance, he gave that same personalized magic away to every fan who wanted to talk to him or have their picture taken with him.
Thank you, Bob Anderson, for keeping the Standards alive, for keeping the magic alive. And for showing the world your greatness -- a combination of tremendous talent, heart, humility and gratitude. If only more stars, could shine like Bob! Dear Mr. Anderson, maybe that is your next calling . . . star etiquette instructor to other stars!
In addition to seeing Bob Anderson, my hubby and I also went to the '57 Heaven Classic Cars Attraction. It was so much fun. Here is a pic of me with my favorite car:
pic of Tim, Dayna with Bob Anderson in Branson, MO after one of his many perfect performances!
pic of Dayna, Lauren, Donna (my big sis, Lauren's mom)
This week I will create in ornate penmanship a wedding invitation (and accessories) that is dear to my heart. My niece, Lauren, is getting married in June. It's hard to believe that she is all grown up!
Stay tuned . . . for the wedding invitation and wedding day pics . . . after June . . .
Take one complete invitation set to the Post Office and have it weighed. It is very important that you have correct postage for your invitations, of course. Sites like http://www.zazzle.com sell custom postage stamps.
After addressing inner and outer envelopes, invite friends and family to help stuff your invitations.
Affix postage to your reply card envelopes. I suggest using small 42 cent stamps like the wedding heart stamp from the Post Office.
Place reception card (if you have one of these), followed by the reply card, then the reply card envelope. Put the flap of the reply card envelope over the reply card. If there is an accommodation/direction/travel card, put this card last after the reply card envelope. Place all of these small cards neatly in front of your wedding invitation. Here is a photo example of reply card/envelope, activity/travel card, invitation:
The wedding invitation and enclosure cards are placed printed side up and inserted into the inner envelope. We do this so wedding guests can read the invitation and enclosure cards as they are removed from the inner envelope.
Place the inner envelope inside the outer envelope. The front of the inner envelope is addressed with the guests names only (for example, Mr. and Mrs. Kim). The printed side of the inner envelope should face you. When guests open the outer envelope and pull out the inner envelope, they will see their names.
Lastly, seal carefully. Do not put a wet envelope on top of another envelope. Wait until each envelope seal dries.
Wax seals are lovely, but they do tend to break off in the mail and may also cause other issues with the Post Office. Attractive seals are a great alternative.
The orchid signifies love, beauty and strength. The unique blend of colors and flower artwork which grace this invitation set will represent the love that you share as a couple and also for your wedding guests.
Ornate Orchid wedding invitations may be purchased securely online.
Click on image to purchase samples or place your order. SALE: 10 percent discount will be applied at checkout. Also available are menu cards, place cards and accessories with matching orchid artwork to complement the invitation set. 
Picture taken at Missouri Botanical Gardens. I always enjoy attending the annual MO Botanical Garden Orchid Show. So many varieties of Orchids to see! Plants lots of ideas for weddings in my head! . . . Orchids in the bridal bouquet . . . a simple orchid in a petite vase at an intimate reception table . . . introduce your theme with your invitation and set the tone for an unforgettable fairytale affair!
Posts
All Comments
